The third day of the monster 2002 SEMA show began early for most, and it was utterly evident that the Las Vegas nightlife took its toll upon a slight percentage of attendees. With the massive crowds slimmed a bit, it allowed most to peruse the crowded aisles with some breathing room.

ENDLESS SEMA: On our final day of SEMA, about to embark upon our final mission of extracting the substance of our way of life, the materialistic makeup of the off-road industry and the off-roaders way of life, we march full-throttle forward for the best of aftermarket accessories and the eye candy that accompanies it.

We took to the aisles of the lower section of the south hall this morning and finally fought our way out by 4:30 p.m. It was wild and woolly in the Wheel and Performance Tire section of this year's show. BFGoodrich Tires filled one section displaying the Ford F-150 Trophy Truck driven by Damen Jefferies of the Herman Motorsports. The Trophy Truck was primed and polished awaiting immediate travel for a final prepping before the SCORE-International Baja 1000 race slated for November 21, 2002.

On display were many of the outstanding performance tires offered by BFGoodrich. They have just added three sizes to the All-Terrain T/A KO line of tires as well as the newly unvieled BFGoodrich Tires website. Check out the new website at www.BFGoodrichTires.com and read about the tire best suited for your weekend warrior and your epic adventures.

TIN BENDER BEAUTY: Granted, low riders ain't our bag, but who could pass up the slick gold-plated wheels and the eye-piercing chrome that makes up the engine bay? For those of you in Whittier and El Monte, this one's for you, straight from the boys of ORC. Where are the Tin Benders when you need them?

Also present was the Avalanche Engineering Pro Comp Chassis Driven by John "Johnny G" Gilleland to three Goodyear/Skyjacker Extreme Rock Crawling National wins in 2002 and went on to clinch second overall for that series. Johnny G himself was present, shaking hands like a true rock star. The G-Man will again run the epic BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX next season, when the tire will be made available to consumer March 2003. It'll arrive with two distinct versions, a grooved and a non-grooved version. Stay tuned for photos of each of these competition-crushing tires at a later time, when we're likely to post exclusive grooving designs that the pro groovers and BFG engineers use to craft the tire into the proven champion that is has instantly become.

Look for huge excitement as the rockcrawling season begins in mid-January 2003, as Avalanche Engineering in conjuction with BFGoodrich have planned to launch a huge ad campaign and give away a complete Pro Comp Chassis rockcrawler (like the one Johnny G pilots) to a lucky fan toward the end of the season. Again, you're going to have to stay tuned to ORC for updates regarding the grand finale of 2003 giveaways.

Toyo Tires filled up an enormous area in the massive lower south hall, displaying a huge selection of both off-road rubber and street-scretching tires. On each corner of the display we found strategically located models signing posters and mingling with the crowd. On November 5, 2002, Toyo Tires? announced their aggressive new off-road style Open Country M/T? (mud terrain) tire for light trucks and four-wheel-drive vehicles. The result of extensive product engineering and field development, the Open Country M/T? is designed with a deep lug tread to meet challenging off-highway conditions.

THE AVALANCHE KRAWLER: This year, next year, right now, it's all about the BFGoodrich Krawler T/A KX. It's the ultimate champion of rock crawling tires. In the most extreme of competitions, it goes undefeated. It's prowess goes unmatched. And, it's coming to a dealer near you in March 2003. Along with the BFG Krawler is to come a super huge year-long ad campaign with the ultimate rock crawling rig standing center stage, the hot new Avalanche Engineering Pro Comp Chassis. From what we understand, the entire trophy-winning BFG-backed rig will be reproduced and auctioned off to the most dedicated BFG customer. Imagine, the possibilities when this monster goes into production and you're the recipient. Sign us up!

Initially developed in 38X15.50R18 and LT325/60R20 sizes, the Open Country M/T?s great, aggressive appearance will enhance the looks of any pickup and SUV, including specialty vehicles such as the new Hummer H2. The public will soon see Toyo Tires Open Country A/T? line with tires that fit modern 20-inch diameter rims on light trucks and SUV?s. The all terrain Open Country A/T? provides optimum traction both on-and-off the road. Its broad and aggressive appearance adds style to any rugged vehicle, yet its computer-designed tread allows for quiet operation in urban environments.

It wasn't long before we found the Donahoe Racing Enterprise booth loaded with potentional customers perusing over the latest in array of products deisgned and manufactured by Kreg Donahoe and his crew from Anaheim, California. Specializing in Ford truck suspension kits, they have pushed the envelope in engineering and have put out some innovative suspension kits that all Ford owners who run in the dirt need to have. Look for some outstanding product launches and press releases as 2003 approaches soon.

Located in the lunch crowd at the Las Vegas Convention Center was world adventurer Bill Swails and Michele Connolly from Earthroamer Expeditions and www.Earthroamer.com.

FRIENDLY FEUD: Walker Evans, left, strolled through the action-packed BFGoodrich booth with an eye on the competition. The legend was looking over the Krawler-clad Avalanche Engineering Pro Comp rig of the famed John Gilleland, center, who his been trying to catch on the various crawling circuits. Johnny G prodded Walker with a few pointed questions aimed at confirming a rumor or two. Basically, Walker's been building what seems to be a mega-rig. The only thing he provided in the way of details was that it will be a wild rig to contend with.

An hour later, ORC staffers were pouring over the famous Dodge Cummins 2500 4x4 equipped with a custom camper, which was displayed in the Alcoa wheel booth. Bill and Michele provided us with a full tour of the Earthroamer.com adventure truck and we may have convinced Bill to tag along with ORC Baja 1000 staff back into the depths of Baja, Mexico for the SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. Bill and Michele also have some of their own innovations up their sleeves, stay tuned for a complete press release after the holidays.

Finally, as the day wore down, we caught up with champion race car driver, Rob MacCachren, who was outside talking with SCORE Media Director-Dominic Clark. We soon discovered that Rob recently returned from pre-running the Baja 1000 in his Ford Ranger and was flying through the desert at near record speeds for his Ford Ranger pre-runner. As Rob told it, he asked his co-driver how fast they were going via his GPS and his co-driver responded with a "98 mph," at which time the MacCachren factor took over and moments later he asked the same question. His co-driver responded, "Were traveling at 100 mph." Look for big things from this champion driver who has teamed up with Danny Anderson in the Class 1 Unlimited vehicle at the Baja 1000 and in next year's desert race scene.

Look for our continuing coverage for the final and last day tomorrow as the 2002 SEMA show wraps up and closes it's doors tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

Black Flys Eyewear and Wheels - Desert Syndicate - Waste Land Warriors
	The ladies from Black Flys Eyewear and Black Flys Wheels led us to their booth with that gleam in their eyes, but we got more than we bargained for. On the television monitor, Wasteland Warriors , the hottest off-road race movie that will ever be made was up and absolutely raging. Believe me when I say this, it's insane. Not only is it produced by our friend Dana Nicholson, the Crusty Demons of Dirt fame, but it's also got a lot of ORC's very own footage packed in. Produced by the Desert Syndicate, you're going to want to swap cash for a copy of this when it shows up in the hands of your favorite retailer.
Maxxis
One of the hottest tires in the world of supercross, Maxxis, leaps into the truck light duty truck world with some serious meats aimed at shredding through the mud and rocks. It's the M8080 Mudzilla LT.
Brute Jeep
	BRUTE TO BE EXACT: Believe it or not, that's the back end of a Jeep, the Brute Jeep to be exact. Even a few Jeep skeptics in the crowd were turned on by this ride. Apparently equipped with all the standard running gear of the common Wrangler TJ, the Brute boasts a truck bed that makes a certain statement to the modern truck world, "This Jeep kicks ass!"
	THE BEAST CALLED BRUTE: The bed is boxed in similar to an old 60's Dodge Power Wagon. Up front, it's all Wrangler TJ. A glimpse beneath reveals the Dana 30 and 35 axles or maybe that was a 44 out back. It's tough to say, we were taken more by the invention of this beast called Brute.
	ORC Approved Vehicle
Created by American Expdition Vehicles of Missoula, MT, this rig rocks. It's outfitted with lots of goodies, such as an ARB Bull Bar, ARB Snorkel, WARN Winch, IPF Lights and a number of other mandatory components for the true adventurer.
Sportz Tents
Sportz Tents, the manufacturers of the Sportz Truck Tent II, just unleashed its SUV version of its popular tent, which doubles as a living room when camping in the outback. Check it out. It snaps to attention quickly and has living quarters for the entire family.
Clear Gearz
	Beat the hell out of it with a sledge hammer if you choose, but you are NOT going to break it. It's Clear Gearz. Earlier this year in Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari, Jeremy of Clear Gearz handed out a 20 pound sledge hammer to any hardcore trail soldier who was willing to test the strength of this differential cover. After taking hundreds, if not thousands, of cold-hearted blows to the Clear Gearz diff cover, it was given an inspection, and guess what? It did not crack. It did not leak. It did not surrender to the abuse of the angry. It conquered, recieving that well known knowing nod and respect of all those who went up against it with their wrath. Left, I gave it a few brute Undefeated Baja Wrist Wrestling Champion blows. The Clear Gearz damn near sent the sledge hammer to my fore head and set me straight. I'm a believer.
Top right, ORC's Pat Chicas, known as El Jefe to Team ORC, sent one solid cave man blow to the clear diff cover. To put it to your straight, even a steel diff cover couldn't take the abuse. As for those aluminum light weights, not a chance. It's very clear. Clear Gearz is our choice!
The Girls Of SEMA
The show is so huge, that we need to add another day of epic coverage. The wait will be worth it. We'll provide full-size photo downloads of some of the hottest prerunners to hit Glamis, the fastest trucks to race in the desert, and the finest women of the show that will set the world on fire, the 2002 SEMA show. Stay tuned to that computer screen for the ultimate lunch break, coming at you noon tomorrow (Friday). Your eyes will pop out of your head!